The Practice of Drinking Water When a Journey Is Interrupted

Question: In Hinduism, there is a belief that if one leaves the house or office absentmindedly and, upon remembering something left behind or needing to briefly return to complete a task, one should, after doing so, drink some water before setting out again. Why is this so?

Answer: This belief in Hinduism stems from the idea that interruptions or returning home after setting out on a journey may be inauspicious. The act of drinking water before proceeding again is a remedial measure to neutralise any potential negative effects.

Several explanations are given for this practice:

1. Symbolic Purification: Water is considered sacred and purifying in Hinduism. Drinking water before stepping out again is thought to cleanse any impurities or negative energy that may have arisen due to the interruption.

2. Resetting the Journey: In Hindu tradition, a journey --- whether short or long --- is often undertaken with a sense of purpose and auspiciousness. Returning home midway is believed to break the initial flow of energy (praṇa). Drinking water is seen as a way to restart the journey afresh, symbolising a renewal of intention.

3. Appeasement of Deities and Forces: Some believe that returning home after setting out may be due to unseen negative influences or inauspicious omens. Drinking water is thought to invoke divine blessings, ensuring a smooth and obstacle-free journey.

4. Scriptural and Astrological Basis: Hindu texts and astrological beliefs caution against certain omens (nimitta) and interruptions (vyavadhāna) in travel. Drinking water may be a simple yet effective ritual to counteract any potential adverse effects, aligning the journey with positive energies.

This belief reflects the Hindu worldview, where daily actions are imbued with deeper spiritual and symbolic significance, ensuring harmony with cosmic and natural forces.

Question: Are there any references to this belief in the Hindu scriptures like the Purana and smrities?

Answer: Yes, the practice of drinking water before resuming a journey after returning home is rooted in Hindu traditions, though specific references in the Puraṇas or Smṛtis are not widely cited. However, the underlying principles can be traced to broader Hindu scriptural teachings on omens (nimitta), purification (suddhi), and auspiciousness (mangala).

Here are some scriptural and textual bases that align with this belief:

1. Manusmṛti and Other Smṛtis: The Manusmṛti and other Dharmasastras discuss auspicious and inauspicious omens related to travel. While they do not explicitly mention drinking water, they emphasise purification rituals and actions to counteract inauspicious signs. Drinking water, a purificatory act (pavitram), is in harmony with these principles.

2. Gṛhya Sutras: The Gṛhya Sutras, which prescribe domestic rituals, mention various travel-related customs, including prayers before setting out. Though not explicitly stated, drinking water can be seen as an extension of these purification rites.

Puranic References to Water as a Purifier: The Puraṇas, such as the Vayu Purāṇa and Padma Puraṇa, extensively discuss the sanctity of water (jala) as a purifier of sins and negative energies. Water is often used in rituals (achamana, snana) to cleanse impurities, reinforcing the belief that drinking it before resuming a journey serves a similar purificatory purpose.

Nimitta Sastra (Science of Omens): Hindu astrology and omenology (nimitta sastra) warn against interruptions during travel. Some texts suggest counteracting inauspicious interruptions with simple remedies, including reciting mantras, offering prayers, or performing small purificatory acts like drinking water.

Ayurveda and Ritual Practices: Ayurveda and Hindu ritual traditions (ācāra) view water as life-giving and energising. Drinking water before stepping out again can be seen as both a spiritual and physiological reset.

While there may not be a direct scriptural injunction commanding this specific act, the practice aligns with Hindu principles of auspiciousness, purification, and resetting energy before resuming an interrupted journey. It is an example of how oral traditions and practical rituals evolve from scriptural wisdom.